Foldable lectern structure



Jan. 28, 1969 E. SHELDON 3,424,283

FOLDABLE LECTERN STRUCTURE Filed April 20, 1967 INVENTOR ELDON L. SHELDON ATTORNEY United States Patent Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a speakers lectern and especially relates to a foldable lectern that has particular utility in combination with a business mans attach case.

A speakers lectern necessarily comprises a downwardly-rearward sloping portion having a lower transverse lip against which the speaker may rest his notes, books, and other source materials, said sloping portion working area being supported in the said oblique or sloping position. Speakers lecterns of the prior art are generally lofty, rigid and cumbersome structures extending in height between the floor and the chest level of the speaker. Those prior art lecterns which may be utilized in conjunction with an attach case are difiicult to erect and re-collapse, and provide insufficient working area for the speaker.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a folda'bly collapsible speakers lectern which can be conveniently stored and transported in compact form.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a collapsible lectern which may be conveniently stored in a business mans carrying case so that said lectern may be quickly erected for use in business meetings and similar presentations.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a foldably collapsible lectern that may be temporarily erected in combination with a business mans attache-type carrying case so that the user thereof may make a brief oral presentation therefrom, said lectern being quickly re-foldable into a condition whereby it may be immediately restored within the attach case.

It is another object to provide a foldable lectern that will compactly store within an attach case, that is readily removable therefrom, and that may additionally function as a writing board within the attach case.

It is a further object to provide an exceedingly simple and economical foldable lectern having high reliability and long life, and that is of light weight and of inconspicuous bulk.

It is yet another object to provide a collapsible speakers lectern that is sufiiciently compact to be stored within a business mans attach case and yet, when erected in combination with an open attache case, has a downwardly sloping portion that provides an unusually extensive working area for the speaker.

With the foregoing and other objects and advantages in view, which will be more particularly pointed out as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and combination of elements hereinafter set forth, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein like numbers refer to like parts in the several views, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the foldable lectern structure of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the foldable lectern of the present invention shown in operable combination with an attach case.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a base member which provides a component of one type means for sup- "ice porting the foldable lectern device so as to provide a downwardly sloping working area.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of an upright standard member which in combination with the base member of FIGURE 3 provides one type means for supporting the foldable lectern device so as to provide a downwardly sloping working area.

As can best be seen in FIGURE 1, the foldable lectern 10 is a generally rectangular structure having a forward end 11, and rearward end 12, and a pair of broad surfaces extending between ends 11 and 12 including outward surface 13 and inward surface 14. Lectern 10 comprises three pivotably-connected plate-like panels of substantially equal thickness including a forward panel 20, and intermediate panel 30', and a rearward panel 40, the width of each of said three rectangular member panels being substantially equal and coextensive with the transverse width of foldable lectern 10. The lectern outward surface 13 comprises the outward face 23 of forward panel 20, the outward face 33 of intermediate panel 30, and the outward face 43 of rearward panel 40, while the lectern inward surface 14 comprises the inward faces of panels 20, 30, and 40. The pivotal connection between panels 20, 30, and 40 may be attained in several ways as, for example, by means of dual-plate piano-type hinges 15 positioned at lectern inward surface 14.

As illustrated in FIGURE 1, outward faces 23, 33, and 43 are substantially coplanar when panels 20, 30, and 40 are in linear alignment, and for reasons to be explained later, it is extremely desirable that faces 23 and 33 be so coplanar when panels 20 and 30 are linearly alignd to form the downwardly sloping working area portion of lectern 10. As illustrated in phantom line in FIGURE 1, it is desirable for compact storage of foldable lectern 10 that the length of forward panel 20 between its forward end 11 and its rearward end 22 be substantially equal to the combined length of the intermediate and rearward panels between intermediate panel forward end 31 and rearward panel rearward end 12. The forward portion of rearward panel 40 includes a forwardly-extending flange 45 that is positioned along the outward face 33 of intermediate panel 30 when the intermediate and rearward panels are in alignment as in FIGURE 1. The outward face 43A of flange 45 is rigidly fixed with respect to broad face 43, and 43 and 43A are preferably coplanar, whereby said flange 45 prevents the outward faces 43 and 43A from moving toward each other. In the case of relatively thick panel members exceeding about 200 mils thickness, it is desirable that the rearward end 32 of intermediate panel 30 be provided with a transversely notched portion 34 to accommodate flange 45 when panels 30 and 40 are linearly aligned. However, when thin panel members are employed e.g. 50 mil sheet metal, it is unnecessary that the intermediate panel be provided with a rearward notched portion, said flange 45 being readily abuttable against the intermediate panel outward face 33.

Lectern structure 10 is provided with means for temporarily rigidifing the panels 20 and 30 in linear alignment as, for example, U-shaped springy clips 19 which may be removably attached to the elongate sides of lectern 10. During the storage or collapsed stage of lectern 10, the temporarily rigidifying means eg, clips 19, are positioned remote of the juncture of panels 20 and 30; as exemplified in FIGURE 1, the clips 19 may be attached to rearward panel 40 of the collapsed lectern. However, as will be described in conjunction with FIGURE 2, clips 19 are attached across the juncture of panels 20 and 30 when the lectern structure is erect. Means for temporarily linearly rigidifying the forward and intermediate panels, alternate to clips 19, include: a locking type hinge at the juncture of panels 20 and 30; latches of various types; relatively thick panels 20 and 30 having firmly abuttable adjacent planar edges; and a flat-plate rib pivotably attached at lectern inward surface 14 and adapted to braceably span the juncture of panels 20 and 36.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the foldable lectern may be in operable combination with a conventional attach case having a receptacle portion R and a pivotably associated cover portion C. In FIGURE 2 the proximal side of the attach case is removed to better illustrate its function in conjunction with lectern 10. Portions R and C are normally pivotably connected with hinge means H, and cover portion C is normally adapted to stand upright with respect to receptacle portion R as shown in FIGURE 2. Receptacle portion R has a rearward end RR, and cover portion C has a rearward end CR, said rearward ends RR and CR being abuttable when the attach case is closed. Receptacle portion R is commonly provided with a pair of opposed internal ledges L, and a planar writing board is normally horizontally supported between ledges L.

The erected lectern 10 is shown in FIGURE 2 positioned between the rearward end CR of upright cover C and the rearward end RR of receptacle R. Clips 19 are positioned on opposite elongate edges 16 and 17 of lectern 10 at the juncture of panels 20 and 30 so as to immobilize hinge thereat; thus, clips 19 rigidify the linear alignment of panels 20 and so long as it is desired to temporarily employ the aligned panels 20 and 30 as the sloping portion of erected lectern 10. There are means for supporting the rigidly-aligned forward and intermediate panels in a downwardly-rearward slope, and such support means may include the rearward panel being maintained substantially upright together with the forward panel being attached to cover C near its rearward end CR. When the attach case support means is employed, the respective lectern edges 16 and 17 may include hooks 51 pivotably attached near forward end 11, said hooks 51 being adopted to engage a pair of eyes 52 attached internally of cover C near its rearward panel CR. Alternatively, hooks could be attached to the interior surface of cover "C to engage perforations in forward panel 20 near lectern forward end 11. Various other type attachment means between cover C and lectern panel 20 may 'be employed. The length of erected lectern 10 of FIGURE 2 between its forward end 11 and its rearward end 12 represents a ratio exceeding 1.5 with respect to the distance between receptacle panels RR and RF. Further, the combined lengths of forward panel 20 and intermediate panel 30 between forward end 11 and intermediate panel rearward end 32 represents a ratio greater than 0.6 with respect to the distance between lectern ends 11 and 12. When the said 1.5 and 0.6 ratios are employed, along with the attachment of forward end 11 to cover C near CR, the erected lectern of FIGURE 2 results, and rearward panel 40 uprightly abuts receptacle panel RR at ledge L. As can be seen in FIGURE 2, the flange 45 provides the the lower lip of the lectern sloping portion formed by temporarily rigidified aligned panels 20 and 30. It is of course, essential that flange 45 be rigid to the extent it is relatively immovable outwardly of lectern outward surface 13.

As shown in phantom line in FIGURE 1, the lectern 10 may be compactly folded for storage within receptacle R, and in such event, the length of forward panel 20 and the combined lengths of panels 30 and were pr ferably equal and are less than the distance between receptacle panels RR and RF. If it is desired to store the collapsed lectern form of FIGURE 1 across ledges L rather than on receptacle floor F, then the folded length of lec tern 10 e.g. between end 11 and end 22, must exceed the distance between ledges L. In either event, it is desirable to have means for removing the folded lectern from receptacle R, such as a flexible tab 56 attached to forward panel 20 near lectern forward end 11 (FIGURE 2), or as a pair of alignable holes 47 in panels 20 and 40 spaced 4 a prescribed distance from lectern ends 11 and 12, respectively (FIGURE 1).

\Vhile the lectern 10 is preferably erected in conjunction with the attach case as shown in FIGURE 2, there are alternate support means as exemplified in FIGURES 3 and 4. The upright standard 60 of FIGURE 4 is an alternate means for supporting the aligned forward and intermediate panels 20- and 30 so that said panels 20 and 30 will provide the oblique or sloping portion of the erected lectern. Upright standard 60 has an attachment means including downwardly sloping recess 61 which is adapted to accommodate the forward panel 20 at its forward end 11. The vertical height of upright standard 60 provides the forward height of erected lectern 10 e.g. the distance between eyes 52 and receptacle floor F.

The base member 70 of FIGURE 3 is adapted to upright support lectern rearward panel 40 in conjunction with standard 60, as an alternate to the attach case type means for supporting the rigidly-aligned forward and intermediate panels in a downwardly-rearward slope. Base member 70 has a vertically disposed recess 71 adapted to receive rearward panel 40 at its rearward end 12. Of course, neither standard member 69 nor base member 70 would be employed with the FIGURE 2 type support means i.e. the attach case.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the foldable lectern will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to.

I claim:

1. A foldable lectern structure comprising three pivotably-connected substantially-rectangular panels including a forward panel, an intermediate panel, and a rearward panel, the width of each of said three member panels being substantially coextensive with the width of the foldable lectern, said foldable lectern having two broad surfaces including an outward surface provided by the outward faces of the three member panels and an inward surface provided by the inward faces of the three member panels, the outward faces of the forward and intermediate panels being substantially coplanar when the said forward and intermediate panels are aligned, the forward portion of the rearward panel including a forwardlyextending flanged portion adapted to be positioned along the outward face of the intermediate panel when the intermediate and rearward panels are in alignment, the outward face of the said flanged portion being fixed in substantial coplanar relationship with respect to the general outward face of the rearward panel whereby said flanged portion provides a supporting lip for the lectern, means for temporarily rigidifying the alignment of the forward and intermediate panels and to prevent the inward faces of each from moving toward each other, and means for supporting the rigidly-aligned forward and intermediate panels in a downwardly-rearward slope whereby the fianged portion provides a substantially rigid upright supporting lip for the lectern.

2. The foldable lectern structure of claim 1 wherein the said lectern has a forward end and a rearward end; wherein the length of the said foldable lectern structure between its forward end and the rearward end of the intermediate panel represents a ratio greater than 0.6 with respect to the distance between the lectern forward and rearward ends; and wherein the length of the forward panel is substantially equal to the combined lengths of the intermediate and rearward panels.

3. The foldable lectern structure of claim 1 wherein the said lectern has a forward end at the forward end of the forward panel and a rearward end at the rearward end of the rearward panel; wherein the length of the said foldable lectern structure between its forward end and the rearward end of the intermediate panel represents a ratio exceeding 0.6 with respect to the distance between the lectern forward and rearward ends; wherein the foldable lectern is in operable combination with a box-like attach case that comprises a receptacle portion and a pivotably associated cover portion that is adapted to stand uprightly with respect to the attach case receptacle portion, said cover portion having a rearward end and said receptacle portion having a forward end and a rearward end; wherein the length of the foldable lectern between its forward and rearward ends represents a ratio exceeding 1.5 with respect to the forward and rearward ends of the attach case receptacle portion; wherein the forward and intermediate panels of the lectern are temporarily rigidly aligned; and wherein the means for supporting the rigidly aligned forward and intermediate panels in a downwardly-rearward slope includes the lectern forward panel being attached to the upright cover portion of the attach case near the cover portion rearward end and the lectern rearward panel uprightly abutting the receptacle portion rearward end.

4. The foldable lectern structure of claim 2 in operable combination with a box-like attach case that comprises a receptacle portion and a pivotably associated cover portion that is adapted to stand uprightly with respect to the attach case receptacle portion, -said cover portion having a rearward end and said receptacle portion having a rearward end, said cover and receptacle rearward ends being adjacently positioned when the attach case is closed, said receptacle portion having a forward end and a pair of opposed internal ledges; wherein the length of the forward panel is also substantially equal to the distance between the opposed internal ledges of the attach case receptacle portion; wherein the forward and intermediate panels of the lectern are rigidly aligned; and wherein the means for supporting the rigidly aligned forward and intermediate panels in a downwardly-rearward slope includes the lectern forward panel being attached to the upright cover portion of the opened attach case and the lectern rearward panel uprightly abutting the internal ledge of the receptacle portion rearward end.

5. The foldable lectern structure of claim 2 wherein the said three lectern panels are of rectangular shape; wherein the said three lectern panels are of substantially equal thickness; wherein the adjacent edges of the forward and intermediate panels are planar and firmly abuttable to provide a means for temporarily linearly rigidifying the forward and intermediate panels; wherein the rearward end is provided with a notched portion transversely along the outward face thereof to accommodate the rearward panel flanged portion when the intermediate and rearward panels are in alignment; and a tab attached to the forward panel outward face nearer to the lectern forward end.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 489,518 1/1893 Ambruster 248461 1,105,381 7/1914 Stovall. 1,292,468 1/1919 Hominuke -11 2,935,812 5/1960 Adami 248-461 3,034,253 5/1962 Edwards. 3,177,991 4/1965 Walker 19011 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

